Gov’t Denies Contractor Abandoned PTC Interchange Due to Debt

The Ministry of Roads and Highways has discredited reports that work on the PTC Interchange- a Sinohydro Project- in the Western Region has stalled due to accumulated debt by the government.

The Ministry condemned the reports as containing inaccuracies and distortions of the facts, in reaction to it.

It explained that the project which started in December 2020, was expected to be completed in June 2023.

However, the contractor suspended works in December 2022 due to the Government of Ghana’s Debt Restructuring Programme.

“At the time of the suspension in December 2022, the physical progress of the project was 80 per cent. In September 2024, the contractor requested permission to dismantle the formwork of the 3-Tier Interchange due to safety concerns arising from the theft of scaffolding, rotten wooden formwork, and corroded iron rods.”

In accordance with Clause 4.8 of the Conditions of Contract, which emphasizes the contractor’s responsibility for site safety and public protection, it said, permission was granted to remove the formwork to avoid any unforeseen accident.

According to the Ministry, the government is working to get contractors to resume work on the Interchange and other projects.

So far, it said the government successfully negotiated the resumption of works on the Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange Project Phase II, the Tema-Akosombo Road Project, and the Tema-Afiao Road Project.

It added, “The Ministry wishes to assure the people of Sekondi-Takoradi and the public that the government is committed to completing the PTC Interchange project. The government is exploring all funding options available to ensure the project’s timely completion.”

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini